Veronica’s P.O.V.
Timing was everything.
If I’d arrived even a second later, he might’ve walked straight into the lobby. Straight into view. Straight into someone’s suspicion.
Mason’s eyes had locked on mine like he almost recognized me—not as Bella, not as anything spellbound—but me. The way his body swayed, the flicker of something defiant in his jaw...
No. Not yet. Not now.
I stepped forward quickly, wrapped my hand around his forearm with false ease, and rubbed my thumb gently against the tip of his nose.
“Shhh,” I whispered.
It activated instantly. The sigil charm drawn in potion ink on my skin transferred to his body like silk. His eyes glazed over within seconds.
That defiant flicker vanished. His shoulders slumped.
Just like that—he was gone again.
A marionette. Breathing
